Peach tree named &#39;Crispregal&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree, denominated ‘Crispregal’, has fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2006/0997 filed on Apr. 24, 2006 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Crispregal’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree, Prunus persica var. nucipersica, which has been given the variety denomination ‘Crispregal’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone flesh fruit for fresh market in end of July to beginning of August in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to ‘Mercil’ (O'Henry®), ‘Merdame’ (Elegant Lady®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,399) peaches, standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘Crispregal’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has fruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘Crispregal’ peach tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement where it was tested. The ‘Crispregal’ variety results from a pollinated cross of an unnamed yellow peach tree which was used as the seed parent. The unnamed yellow peach tree was originated by using ‘Julie’ white peach tree as seed parent and ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) yellow nectarine tree as pollen parent. Pollen parent of ‘Crispregal’ variety is an unnamed yellow nectarine tree, issued from a free pollination of ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) variety, which was used as seed parent. ‘Crispregal’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, as 03.05.139 PJ—ASF 0441 and is registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic Dec. 27, 2005 under number 1018860. It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree blooms in March at Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it blooms between 13^(th) and 23^(th) of March, at the same time than ‘Mercil’ (O'Henry®), four days after ‘Merdame’ (Elegant Lady®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,399) variety.

The first fruit of ‘Crispregal’ peach tree ripens in July, 3 days before the first fruit of ‘Merdame’ (Elegant Lady®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,399) variety. More particularly, it approximately ripens between July 23^(th) and August 1^(st). The date of maturity varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. More particularly, date of maturity variations, until 5 or 6 days, can be due by climatic conditions during a 2-months period before blooming.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows typical specimens of the fruit on the tree, the leaf and branch of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows typical specimens of the fruit on the tree, the leaf and branch of the new variety, and a half part of a fruit which has been cut in half with the pit being left in the presented half part for depicting fruit flesh and stone of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph which shows two whole fruit sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment and a dorsal view of a single leaf.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘Crispregal’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright out aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins semi-late in springtime. The type of flower is showy with relative medium petal size. Petals are pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is medium. The fruit flesh is yellow and its skin is very thick, of red blush color with a yellow-orange background. The stone is medium size and the flesh is adherent to the stone. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘Merdame’ (Elegant Lady®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,399) variety, ‘Crispregal’ has the same time of maturity with a difference of 3 days, although the red fruit coloration is brighter than for ‘Merdame’ (Elegant Lady®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,399) variety. The round shape of the fruit is also more homogenous. ‘Crispregal’ variety is clingstone, although ‘Merdame’ (Elegant Lady®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,399) variety has a free stone. Shelf life of ‘Crispregal’ fruit is very long instead of being short, both on the tree and after harvesting. Fruit of ‘Crispregal’ variety has a better appearance, a slower maturation and a sweeter taste. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or melting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed during the fourth fruiting season, corresponding to the fifth growing season, under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large as compared to other common             commercial peach cultivars. The tree size the first year was             approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 80 cm. So             the tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm with current seasons shots             length comprised. -   Spread: Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was oriented to a     central leader organisation, with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters     and trees spaced of 1 meter in a same tree line. -   Vigor: Considered vigorous. The present variety grew from about 200     cm to 280 cm in height during the first growing season. For second     and following seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate     height of 250 cm. -   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to     develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The     number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic     conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,     and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety. -   Bearer: Very regular. A thinning of 1 fruits on 4 was necessary for     the tree valorisation. Thinning may not be too important because of     the high magnifying potential of the fruit. Thinning was necessary     every year during the past 4 years. -   Form: The ‘Crispregal’ variety has naturally a semi-spread to     semi-upright shape. -   Density: Considered medium dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under typical central     Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions and was selected     because of its hardiness. Experimentations on different sites with     winter chilling requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200     hours showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages     were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12 degrees     Celsius. The tree was also very resistant to frosty springtime     weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately between 7.0 cm and 8.0 cm in diameter when     measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil level,     on trees of the fifth growing season. The branching begins at 50 cm     above the soil level. -   Bark texture: Considered rough, with numerous folds of papery     scarfskin being present. -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present on trees of the fifth     growing season. The lenticels range in size from approximately 5.0     millimeters to 7.0 millimeters in width, and from 2.0 millimeters to     3.0 millimeters in height. -   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color     (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the inside is     considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B). -   Bark coloration: The bark has a silver-grey color a little more     pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C to RHS Black     202 C).

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches and current season shoots are considered     medium to thick for the variety. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other peach varieties. The current     season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 7.0 millimeters, and     branches of trees of the fifth growing season have a diameter     comprised between 20.0 and 25.0 millimeters. -   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no     furrowed appearance. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the     crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 70 degrees from     the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not     considered distinctive of the variety, however. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous. -   Internode length: Generally 25.0 millimeters to 35.0 millimeters. -   Color of mature branches: Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A). -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light             yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A-B) on lower part of new             shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored in more or             less brown-orange (RHS Greyed Orange 173 B-C-D) following             the position on the shoot.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species. Leaf measurements have been     taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at approximately     mid-shoot. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is above 4. -   Leaf length: Approximately 160.0 to 195.0 millimeters with leaf     petiole. -   Leaf width: Approximately 45.0 to 55.0 millimeters. -   Leaf base shape: Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinal     axis. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf tip form: Acuminate -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).         -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C). -   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green with a yellow touch (RHS Yellow Green 144             D to 144 C). -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Considered slightly dentate. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one or two smaller     leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 12.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately between 1.8 to 2.3 mm.         -   Color.—Light green with a yellow touch (RHS Yellow Green 144             D to 144 C). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Number.—Generally 3 to 4 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             pale green (RHS Green 144 B). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0             millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of purple-brown color             (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla, formed by petals, is             generally of pale pink color (RHS Red Purple 69 C). Petals             color shows an evolution until the end of flowering. The             buds are considered hardy under typical central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. -   Hardiness: No winter injury was noted during the last several years     of evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with     winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The     current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or     heat stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in     orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an average     temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in     summer. -   Date of bloom: Generally March. The first bloom was observed on Mar.     13, 2006. -   Blooming time: Considered semi-late season in relative comparison to     other commercial peach cultivars grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales     departement, France. The date of full bloom is observed on March.     The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and     cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was observed     approximately on Mar. 17, 2006. -   Duration of bloom: Approximately 11 days. This characteristic varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower. -   Flower size: Considered medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is     approximately 31.0 to 36.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately 25 flowers per     meter. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered small to medium for the species. -   Length: Generally about 17.0 millimeters. -   Width: Generally about 16.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Round-shaped. -   Petal count: Nearly always 5. -   Petal texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Petal color: Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 A) when young, slightly     darkening with advancing senescence. -   Fragrance: Slight. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a             slighty rounded extremity.         -   Length.—Approximately 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters. -   Petal margins: Generally very slightly undulated. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip,             and dome-shaped. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 B to C). -   Floral nectaries:     -   -   Color.—A flat gold-orange (Approximately RHS Greyed Red 178             C to B) -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color. -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Size.—Average.         -   Color.—A flat Red (approximately RHS Greyed Red 178 A to RHS             Grey Brown 199A). -   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 40 stamens per     flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Average in length.         -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed             Purple 178 A Group). Anthers are becoming yellow at             maturity. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color     (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B-C) changing with maturity. The     present variety is considered self fruitful (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to 16.0             millimeters in length. In all cases filament's length is             superior to pistil's length. Filaments are shorter than             petals. -   Color: Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C-D)     to pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A-B). -   Pistil:     -   -   Number—Generally 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 21.0 millimeters including the             ovary; Smaller than filament's length.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow             Green 150 D Group to RHS Yellow Green 151 D Group).         -   Surface texture.—Pubescent at ovary level.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). -   Date of first picking: Jul. 23, 2006. -   Date of last picking: Aug. 1, 2006. The date of harvest varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘Crispregal’     variety has a medium date of picking, and a grouped maturity: only 2     harvests in 10 days were necessary. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered very large, with a homogeneous size             between them. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately between 77.0 and 80.0     millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately between 68.0 and 75.0     millimeters. -   Typical weight: Generally approximately between 230.0 and 280.0     grams. This characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing     cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of     the variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round to slightly ovate. The fruit is generally             uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end. -   Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and smooth, extending from the base to     the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the     suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—This has generally a color similar to the whole fruit             color, a red blush (RHS Orange Red N34A) on a yellow-orange             background (RHS Yellow Orange 17A). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Non prominent, slightly depressed, very small. -   Base: Slightly wide-mouthed, shallow. -   Stem cavity: Generally elongated in the suture plane. Average depth     of the stem cavity is about 0.7 cm. Average width is about 1.5 cm. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and tenacious             to moderately tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of             maturity.         -   Texture.—Slightly pubescent.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is an homogenous red (RHS             Orange Red N34A). The red blush covers 80% to 90% of the             fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit             skin surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color appears until 20% of the             fruit skin surface, and is considered a yellow-orange (RHS             Yellow Orange 17A). -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 7.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenous, slow.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity             stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and spicy.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is superior to 13             and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor             is considered spicy.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding             climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—Yellow flesh (RHS Yellow Orange 16B), with             slightly red pigmentation (RHS Red 45 A to B) around the             stone.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Approximately between 34.0 and 38.0 millimeters. -   Width: Approximately between 26.0 and 28.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately between 18.0 and 20.0 millimeters. -   Form: Elliptic. -   Base: Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is short, with a small prominent tip.             Stone Cavity: Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form             and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is generally             prominent and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved. -   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered a     light orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 176 D) and occasionally can     present until a red-brown coloration (RHS Greyed Red 178B). -   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent or very low, depending on     climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 20.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 12.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light orange-brown (RHS Greyed             Orange 167 C) with darker streaks (RHS Greyed Orange 166 C).             The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 D). The             kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit             maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘Crispregal’ is considered to be a peach     tree of the medium season of maturity, and which produces fruits     that are considered firm, attractively colored. Fruits have a     semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy     or melting when at full maturity. Due to their flesh quality,     firmness and density, they can also be commercialized as 4^(th)     range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they     are also useful for both local and very long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than one week     on tree before harvest and then, has stored well more than 4 weeks     after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They have a slow maturation and     a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new peach     variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after     being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. Its     resistance to handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf     life without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks to 4     weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin. Fruits seem not sensitive to Monilia.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very high percentage of red blush. 